Hazel Tindall's Blog

For all knitting enthusiasts, my blog is a treasure trove of information on everything related to Shetland knitting and Fair Isle knitwear. I'm always happy to share behind-the-scenes sneak peeks of my latest projects and offer helpful tips and tricks for knitters of all levels.

Yokes - bottom up or top down?

Yokes - bottom up or top down?

June 6, 2019

Yoked garments – with either a Fair Isle, cabled, lace (or other) yoke – are currently very popular, and I see more are being knitted from the top down. Bottom up yokes are shaped by decreasing the number of stitches, with most of the decreases happening in the top half of the yoke. Top ...

Colourbox cardigan, 2018

Colourbox cardigan, 2018

May 23, 2019

I have often made mention of Jamieson & Smith’s Colourbox challenge. J & S staff choose eight of their jumperweight colours and yarn users (knitters or crocheters) have to use at least five of them to create something. The colours are deliberately chosen so that they will not be really...

Choosing colours

Choosing colours

April 26, 2019

“How do you put colours together for Fair Isle knitting?” is one of the most common questions I get asked. Sometimes I go to either Jamiesons of Shetland or to Jamieson & Smith’s shop and choose several colours from their shelves, or I delve into my stash of Shetland wool witho...

Circular and double pointed needles

Circular and double pointed needles

January 9, 2019

I dislike circular knitting needles - I've known that for a long time. I am often asked why, so I have spent some time trying to analyse what it is I don't like. I have several circular needles, mostly fixed cords and one set of interchangeables. The circulars are not often used but are useful for k...

Colours

Colours

November 15, 2018

  All that remains of this jumper I knitted and wore in the late 1970s is a tiny fragment cut out of it. It most likely got worn and mended until I could mend no more and the bulk of it probably ended up in the dog's bed. I found the piece when searching for something else otherwise I probably ...

Camshious, a favourite jumper

Camshious, a favourite jumper

October 11, 2018

Camshious is the name I gave this jumper. This week I watched Fruity Knitting's Episode 63 and noticed they included a little clip of me wearing this jumper, from my interview with Andrea in an earlier episode. The jumper always catches the eye, not least because of the 'squint' neck, so I thought a...

2018 Walls Show

2018 Walls Show

August 25, 2018

Walls Show is the last of the Shetland's shows I'll get to this year. It is open to residents within the West Mainland area. There is less knitting than at the other shows but the standard is extremely high. I missed taking Colourbox entry photos but most of the entries were mine so I took photos wh...

2018 Cunningsburgh Show

2018 Cunningsburgh Show

August 20, 2018

At Cunningsburgh Show I spent most of my time in the knitting and handicraft section, looking and speaking to folk I'd not seen for a while. As always, I found it interesting to see how other folk had used the Colourbox colours, the patterns they had used and what had been knitted. Mavis Ross truly ...

2018 Voe Show

2018 Voe Show

August 11, 2018

Agricultural Shows in Shetland are always worth a visit and I always head for the craft area as I find it fascinating to see what other people are making. I spend so much time in the knitting/craft area that I don't see everything on show. It is especially pleasing to see young folk starting to knit...

My Dad

My Dad

June 22, 2018

Fathers’ Day inevitably evokes emotions and memories. This week my thoughts have gone back 20 years, remembering the final days of my Dad’s life. I have written and spoken a lot about my mother but less about my Dad. Although he was away at sea or at the whaling when I was very young he ...

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About Shetland

Shetland

Shetland is the most northerly group of Scottish islands. Apart from mainland Scotland, the other near neighbours are Norway to the east and the Faroe Islands to the north west.